ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Culture
The Third zonal level competition of the Vande Bharatam Nritya Utsav to be held tomorrow in Bengaluru
More than 25 winners of State Level Competitions from states/UTs of Southern zone will take part in tomorrow’s zonal event
The competitions of All India Dance Competiton -Vande Bharatam, Nritya Utsavare currently on at the Zonal levels. Vande Bhartaam is a unique initiative of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Culture to commemorate the 75th year of India’s Independence celebrated as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
This is the first time that an All India Dance Competition is being held to select best talent from across the country who will get an opportunity to perform during the Republic Day Parade 2022 in New Delhi.
The zonal events kick started from 9th December and continue till 12th December, 2021 in four different cities.
With the end of the first and second zonal level competition, now the third zonal level competition will be held tomorrow  at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru from 10.00am onwards. During the third Zonal level event in Bengaluru, one will be able to witness the rich dance forms, along with music/songs of India in classical, folk, tribal and contemporary forms. More than 25 winners of the State Level Competition held for various States and UT's of the Southern zone will take part in this event. Groups from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshwadeep Islands were eligible.
Vande Bharatam Dance Competition has been organised as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate 75 years of Independence.
The Vande Bharatam competition which began at District level on November 17 saw participation of more than 3,870 contestants in 323 groups. Those who cleared the screening at the district level took part in State level competition from November 30, 2021. More than 20 virtual events were conducted for the State-level competition over a span of 5 days till 4th December 2021. Over 300 groups were selected for the state-level comprising of over 3,000 dancers/participants. Thus, over a period of one month the event gave an opportunity to all aspirants to showcase their talent to win a slot at National level.
The previous Zonal level events were held in Kolkata on 9th December 2021 and Mumbai on 10th December 2021, and the last event will be held in New Delhi on 12th December, 2021. The Zonal Level competitions are being broadcast LIVE on the official Facebook page & YouTube channel of Vande Bharatam along with the website  and mobile application.
Over 2,400 participants from 200 plus teams have been short-listed for the zonal level competition. Selected teams from this round will progress to the Grand Finale which will be held in New Delhi; Top 480 dancers declared as winners will perform on the Republic Day Parade held at Rajpath, New Delhi on 26th January 2022.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Companies  Bill, 2019
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Companies  Bill, 2019 to amend the Companies Act, 2013.
The Bill would remove criminality under the Act in case of defaults which can be determined objectively and which, otherwise, lack the element of fraud or do not involve larger public interest. This would also lead to further de-clogging of the criminal justice system in the country. The Bill would also further ease of living for law abiding corporates.
Earlier, the Companies  Act, 2015 amended certain provisions of the Act to remove difficulties faced in implementation of various provisions of the Act.
Ministry of Heavy Industries
CRR for Employees of CPSE
Counselling, Retraining & Redeployment  scheme is being implemented as a social safety net to provide opportunities to the Central Public Sector Enterprises  employees or their dependents under Voluntary Retirement Scheme  / Voluntary Separation Scheme .
The aim of retraining of the employees is to re-orient them through short duration skill training to adjust to the new environment and adopt new jobs after their retirement from CPSEs.
From the year 2016-17, CRR scheme is being implemented in collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation  under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship .
According to VRS/VSS guidelines, once an employee avails of voluntary retirement from a CPSE, the employee shall not take up employment in another CPSE.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Babul Supriyo, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to interact with Beneficiaries and Vaccinators of Covid vaccination drive in Varanasi on 22nd January
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will interact with beneficiaries and vaccinators of Covid vaccination drive in Varanasi on 22nd January, 2021 at 1:15 PM via video conferencing. The participants in the interaction will share their first hand experience of vaccination.
The interaction follows continuous dialogue and discussion by the Prime Minister with scientists, political leaders, officials and other stakeholders to proactively ensure smooth conduct of the world’s largest vaccination drive.
Ministry of Railways
INDIAN RAILWAY STATION REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Indian Railways is redeveloping stations to provide modern amenities to passengers
Various stations are being redeveloped on Indian Railways to provide modern amenities. Rani Kamalapati station of West Central Railway and Gandhinagar Capital station of Western Railway have been developed and commissioned.
On the basis of the experience of these two stations and techno-economic feasibility, modernisation of other stations is being done.
Ministry of Railways is exploring various possibilities of funding to develop Railway Stations under different models.
Time frame for construction of stations can not be indicated at this stage as station development program is complex in nature and requires detailed techno-economic studies and various statutory clearances.
This information was given by Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri AshwiniVaishnaw in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Development of Railway Infrastructure to Achieve Objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Indian Railways is committed to achieve the objectives of AatmaNirbhar Bharat. A number of infrastructure development initiatives are envisaged in the National Rail Plan  being prepared by Indian Railways. The objective of the Plan is to create infrastructure capacity ahead of demand, which in turn would also cater to future growth in demand right up to 2050 and also increase the modal share of Railways to 45% in freight traffic and to continue to sustain it. The draft plan has been put up in the public domain  and is also being circulated amongst stakeholders for comments/remarks.
The key infrastructure initiatives taken by Indian Railways to achieve objectives of AatmaNirbhar Bharat are:-
-
- Complete the identified 58 super critical, 68 critical and 20 coal projects for capacity augmentation.
- Complete all executable gauge conversion projects.
- As part of the National Rail Plan, Vision 2024 has been launched for accelerated implementation of certain critical projects by 2024 such as 100% electrification, up gradation of speed to 160 kmph on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes, up gradation of speed to 130kmph on all other Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal  routes and elimination of all Level Crossings on all GQ/GD route.
- Proliferation of indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection  Systems in signaling for enhancing safety of running trains.
- All coaches manufactured in Production Units are completely indigenous except for the forged wheel and axle. Efforts are being made to indigenize them also.
- 97% of Electric loco equipments are indigenously sourced.
- Most of the track machines  are manufactured in India.
- 3 new Dedicated Freight Corridors identified.
- Strive for Net zero carbon emission by 2030.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Leaders from neighbourhood greet PM and Government of India for successful launch of vaccination drive against COVID-19
Leaders from neigbouring countries have greeted the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and Indian Government for successful launch of vaccination drive against COVID-19 on 16th January 2021.
In a tweet, the President of Sri Lanka Shri Gotabaya Rajapaksa said “My heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi on the successful roll out of the #COVID19 vaccine & his generosity towards friendly neighbouring countries.”
In a tweet, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Shri Mahinda Rajapaksa said “Congratulations PM @narendramodi and the Government of India on taking this very important step with this massive #COVID19 Vaccination drive. We are starting to see the beginning of the end to this devastating pandemic.”
In a tweet, the President of the Republic of Maldives Shri Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said “Congratulations to PM @narendramodi and the Indian government for its landmark program to vaccinate India’s population against COVID-19. I’m highly confident that you’ll be successful in this endeavor and that we are finally seeing an end to the COVID-19 scourge.”
In a tweet, the Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr Lotay Tshering Said “I would like to congratulate PM @narendramodi and the people of India for the landmark launch of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive today. We hope it comes as an answer to pacify all the sufferings we have endured this pandemic.”
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Thunderstorm with lightning & gusty windlikely at isolated places over Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Rayalaseema, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Kerala & Mahe and Lakshadweepon 14th May
Thunderstorm with lightning & gusty wind  likely at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Rayalaseema, Karnataka, TamilNadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep,on 15th May
Thunderstorm with lightning & gusty wind likely at isolated places over Gujarat state, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Rayalaseema, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep on 16th May
Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at a few places with Extremely Heavy Falls at isolated places likely over Konkan & Goa on 17th May
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department :
ALLINDIAWEATHER SUMMARY AND FORECAST BULLETIN
SignificantWeatherFeatures
- A Low-Pressure Area lies over Lakshadweep Area & Adjoining southeast Arabian sea. Associated cyclonic circulation extends upto midtropospheric levels, It is very likely to become a Well-Marked Low Pressure Area over Lakshadweep area by 14th morning, concentrate into a Depression over the same region by 15th morning and intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to intensify further and move north-northwestwards towards Gujarat & adjoining Pakistan coasts. It is likely to reach near Gujarat coast around 18th May evening. Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places over Lakshadweep during 13-16with isolated extremely heavy falls on 13 and 14; heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places over Kerala during 13 to 16 with extremely heavy falls  at isolated places on 14 & 15; with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over Tamilnadu very likely on 14, heavy to very heavy falls with extremely heavy falls at isolated places on 15 and heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on 16;heavy falls at isolated places very likely over coastal & Ghat areas of south Interior Karnataka on 13; heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on 14, heavy to very heavy falls at a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places on 15, heavy to very heavy fall at a few places on 16 and heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on 17; heavy falls at isolated places very likely over south Konkan & Goa 15andheavytoveryheavyfalls at a few paces on 16 & 17 May.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of former Rajasthan CM Shri Jagannath Pahadia
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Shri Jagannath Pahadia Ji.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Saddened by the demise of former Rajasthan CM, Shri Jagannath Pahadia Ji. In his long political and administrative career, he made noteworthy contributions to further social empowerment. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister pays tributes to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary.
In a tweet Shri Modi said, “ DrLohia’s great work for social empowerment and his service oriented philosophy shall continue to inspire the citizens of the country”.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Ladakh and Lakshadweep integrated in existing national portability cluster of One Nation One Ration Card
Migratory PDS beneficiaries in 26 States/UTs can now access subsidised food grains from any Fair Price Shop of their choice
The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Sh. Ram Vilas Paswan recently reviewed the progress made towards the implementation of “One Nation One Ration Card” plan and while taking note of the requisite technical readiness of another 2 Union Territories of Ladakh and Lakshadweep, approved the integration of these 2 UTs with existing national portability cluster of 24 States/UTs.
Both the UTs have completed the trial and testing of national portability transactions with other States/UTs in national cluster. With this, a total of 26 States/UTs are now seamlessly connected with each other under the One Nation One Ration Card plan and migratory PDS beneficiaries in these 26 States/UTs can access their subsidised foodgrains at the same Scale and Central Issue Prices from any Fair Price Shop  of their choice w.e.f. 1st September 2020.
A total of more than 65 Crore beneficiaries  in the following 26 States/UTs, namely – Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, are now potentially enabled with an option to lift their subsidised foodgrains through One Nation One Ration Card system. Remaining States/UTs are targeted to be integrated in national portability by March 2021.
The ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ plan is an ambitious endeavour of the Government to ensure the delivery of food security entitlements to all beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013 , irrespective of their physical location anywhere in the country, by implementing nation-wide portability of ration cards under the ongoing central sector scheme on ‘Integrated Management of Public Distribution System ’ in association with all States/UTs.
Through this system, the migratory NFSA beneficiaries who frequently change their place of dwelling in search of temporary employments, etc. are now enabled with an option to lift their entitled quota of foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop  of their choice anywhere in the country by using their same/existing ration card with biometric/Aadhaar based authentication on an electronic Point of Sale  device installed at the FPSs.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 193.90 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 8.01 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,93,90,17,325
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
8,01,87,710
More than 193.90 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 8.01 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre’s initiatives leading to decline in prices of pulses
Tur/Arhar Dal reported drop of 2.87% in All India Wholesale Price
Centre allows import of Tur, Urad and Moong under ‘Free category’ w.e.f May 15, 2021 to ensure smooth and seamless imports
The Government has taken several proactive and pre-emptive measures to augment domestic availability and stabilize prices of essential food commodities. It is because of these measures that the price of Tur/Arhar Dal reported a sharp decline.
As per the official statistics of the Department of Consumer Affairs , the Average Wholesale Price of Tur/Arhar Dal as reported on 22.02.2022 is Rs. 9255.88 per quintal, which was Rs. 9529.79 per quintal on 22.02.2021, a drop of 2.87%.
Similarly, the Average Wholesale Price of Tur/Arhar Dal as reported on 21.02.2022 is Rs. 9252.17 per quintal, which was Rs. 9580.17 per quintal on 21.02.2021, a drop of 3.42%.
In May 2021 advisories were issued to States/UTs to monitor prices of essential food commodities and to ensure disclosure of pulses stocks held by millers, importers and traders under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Imposition of stock limit on all pulses except Moong was notified on 02.07.2021. Thereafter, an amended order was issued on 19.07.2021 imposing stock limits on four pulses, namely, Tur, Urad, Masur, Chana for a period up to 31.10.2021.
To improve availability and stabilise prices of pulses, the Government has allowed import of Tur, Urad and Moong under ‘Free category’ w.e.f May 15, 2021 till October 31, 2021 in order to ensure smooth and seamless imports. The Free regime in respect of import of Tur and Urad was thereafter extended till March 31, 2022. This policy measure has been supported with facilitation measures and close monitoring of its implementation by the concerned Departments/organisations. The import policy measures have resulted in substantial increase in import of Tur, Urad and Moong as compared to the corresponding period for the past two years.
Ministry of Railways
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates India’s First Aluminum Freight Rake - 61 BOBRNALHSM1 at Bhubaneswar Railway Station
Indigenously developed through joint efforts of Railways, Besco Ltd Wagon Division and Hindalco
Aluminum rake has several advantages over traditional ones
Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s First Aluminum Freight Rake - 61 BOBRNALHSM1 at Bhubaneswar Railway Station today. The rake’s destination is Bilaspur.
This is a dedicated effort for Make in India program as it has been fully designed and developed indigenously in collaboration with RDSO, HINDALCO and Besco Wagon.
Features of Aluminium Rake:
- Fully Lockbolted construction with no welding on superstructure.
- The tare is 3.25 tons lower than normal steel rakes, 180 ton extra carrying capacity resulting in higher throughput per wagon.
- Higher payload to tare ratio 2.85.
- The reduced tare will reduce carbon footprint as lower consumption of fuel in empty direction and more transport of freight in loaded condition. A single rake can save over 14,500 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.
- 80% is resale value of the rakes.
- Cost is 35% higher as the superstructure is all aluminium.
- Lower maintenance cost due to higher corrosion and abrasion resistance.
Iron industry consumes a lot of Nickel and Cadmium which comes from import. So, proliferation of Aluminum wagons will result in less import. At the same time, this is good for local aluminum industry.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Gram Panchayats Under Atal Bhujal Yojana
Atal Bhujal Yojana  is being implemented in identified water stressed areas of seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. State wise details of number of districts, blocks/taluks and gram panchayats are given in the table below:
|
|
S. No.
|
|
State
|
|
Districts
|
|
Blocks / Taluks
|
|
Gram Panchayats
|
|
1
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
7
|
|
34
|
|
2,201
|
|
2
|
|
Haryana
|
|
13
|
|
36
|
|
1,895
|
|
3
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
14
|
|
41
|
|
1,199
|
|
4
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
6
|
|
9
|
|
672
|
|
5
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
13
|
|
38
|
|
1,339
|
|
6
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
17
|
|
38
|
|
1,144
|
|
7
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
10
|
|
26
|
|
550
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
80
|
|
222
|
|
9000
Atal Jal has been launched in certain States as a pilot scheme based on the consultation, criticality of groundwater situation, willingness and degree of preparedness.
However, proposals of inclusion of more water stressed areas within the scheme may be considered in future depending upon the outcomes of the scheme and its implementation status.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
ECoR OBSERVED SADBHAVANA DIWAS
East Coast Railway observed “Sadbhavana Diwas” at Rail Sadan, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar by organising a pledge ceremony. Staff and Officers led by Shri Sharad Kumar Srivastava, General Manager , ECoR took pledge of Sadbhavana Diwas to work for the emotional oneness and harmony of all the people of India regardless of caste, region, religion or language and to resolve all differences through dialogue and constitutional means without resorting to violence."
(